Method

In large heavy saucepan, bring plums, onions, water, ginger and garlic to boil over medium heat; cover, reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until plums and onions are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Press through food mill or sieve and return to clean pan; stir in sugar, vinegar, coriander, salt, cinnamon, pepper and cloves. Bring to boil, stirring; reduce heat to low and simmer until mixture reaches consistency of applesauce, about 45 minutes. Fill and seal jars; process in boiling water bath for 30 minutes.

Mini Meringues

This recipe is featured on:

These bite-size treats are fantastic on their own, but for an extra-special finish, you can dip them in chocolate or use them to sandwich your favourite fillings—think dulce de leche, jam, curd or chocolate hazelnut spread.

Bake in top and bottom thirds of 200°F oven, switching and rotating pans halfway through, until dry, about 2 hours. Let cool in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; transfer directly to racks to cool completely. (Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container; store for up to 1 week.)

The Ultimate Beef Stew

This classic warm-you-up stew becomes even more comforting when made with well-marbled pot roast rather than the usual stewing beef. The fat melts slowly as it cooks, tenderizing the beef into juicy melt-in-your-mouth morsels. A slow finish in the oven gives the stew its rich, hearty texture.

Method

In large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and pepper; toss with beef to coat.

In large Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp of the butter and the oil over medium heat; working in small batches, cook beef, stirring, until browned, about 20 minutes total. Using slotted spoon, remove to bowl; set aside.

Cover and braise in 350 F (180 C) oven for 45 minutes. Stir in cocktail onions; cover and braise for 15 minutes. Uncover and cook until vegetables are tender and beef offers no resistance when pierced with tip of knife, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in peas; cook for 5 minutes.

Skim any fat from surface of stew; remove thyme, parsley and bay leaves. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Change it up - The Ultimate Beef and Mushroom Stew: In large Dutch oven, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat; cook 1 pkg (227 g) button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed, stirring occasionally, until tender, golden and no liquid remains, about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove to bowl; set aside. Continue with recipe as directed, returning mushrooms to Dutch oven along with beef.

Gingerbread Cookie Butter

If you ate too much gingerbread over the holidays and aren’t sure what to do with the leftovers, we have your answer: cookie butter. Past-their-prime cookies are best suited to a sweet spread like this one, so round up any gingers that are no longer soft. Slather the butter onto shortbread or graham crackers, use it as a dip for salty pretzels or simply eat it by the spoonful!

Spinach and Artichoke Pissaldière

Pissalidière, a flaky pizza-like tart, is traditionally topped with onions, anchovies and, at times, tomatoes. Here, we've swapped out the anchovies for artichokes to make these bites even more crowd-pleasing, and we've added spinach for a stunning pop of colour.

Method

On parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheet, unroll 1 sheet of the pastry. Top with half each of the onion mixture, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. On separate baking sheet, repeat with remaining pastry, onion mixture, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Bake, 1 sheet at time, in 425°F oven until edges are golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Cut each sheet into 16 squares.

Tip from The Test Kitchen: If the onion begins to stick to the skillet, add up to a tablespoon of water, a little at a time.